Health workers should cover up and get a shot

Influenza is one of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, killing more than 35,000 every year and sending another 250,000 to the hospital.

Yet the union for health care workers across the state is objecting to a requirement that they either get a flu shot or wear a mask at work during the flu season.

The union told MediaNews Group that masks are ineffective and would stigmatize employees. Since when is wearing a mask in a medical facility considered a stigma? Or even a big deal?

The Centers for Disease Control says no studies have proved that masks prevent the transmission of influenza, but it still recommends the practice, since it might help contain the spread of respiratory secretions. The bigger question is why aren't health care professionals first in line for a flu shot? They know, or should know, it's the single most effective tool available for flu prevention.

Nurses and other health care officials have no one to blame but themselves for the new mandate. One Bay Area health officer imposed the requirement after many attempts to educate professionals had no effect.

The effectiveness of flu shots varies from year to year, but it's generally thought to be about 60 percent. Given the deadliness of influenza, asking health care workers to get a shot or wear a mask just seems like common sense.

The legislation for health-care professionals to get year flu shots was among a host of bills submitted by local Sen. Lois Wolk, which was later approved by Gov. Brown.

Senate Bill 1318 requires all hospitals and clinics to maximize vaccination rates of their workers and, beginning in 2015, would require adoption of a mandatory vaccination policy by any facility that fails to achieve a 90 percent vaccination rate or better.

"This legislation will ensure patients, including children, seniors and other vulnerable members of our society, are better protected from contracting the influenza virus by ensuring health facilities and clinics implement effective policies to maximize influenza vaccination rates among their health care workers," said Wolk.

Under SB 1318, the model mandatory vaccination policy for all facilities who fail to reach 90 percent would be determined by the California Department of Public Health. Requiring employees to wear a mask during flu season if they decline the vaccine, or making vaccination a condition of employment, are the most common mandatory vaccination policies.

We're not sure whether health-care workers wearing masks while giving out flu shots is all that effective. But we're darn sure that any group of health-care workers which advocates the general public receive flu shots -- and then administers those inoculations -- should also be inoculated.

It's a good law and we expect our health professionals to abide by it.